Formula 1 Electric Car Being Developed

FCI, a global electric connector manufacturer, has signed a partnership with Formulec to sponsor its Formula 1 electric race car. Called the EF01, the electric vehicle took two and half years to develop in conjunction with automotive professionals from the Segula Technologies consulting firm and the Formula 1 team for Merceds – GP Petronas.

The EF01 is built with batteries from French company Saft, an engine from Siemens, and a high performance connector from FCI that transmits power from the battery to the engine. Able to go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in a stunning three seconds flat, the EF01 has a top speed of 162 miles per hour.

image via Formulec

At this point, the EF01 is one of the quickest electric cars on the planet. Even high-end automaker Tesla Motors hasn’t released a vehicle with such impressive speed, although the races the vehicles compete in are much different. We recently reported the fastest electric motorcycle hit a top speed of 190 miles per hour, proving electric vehicles are beginning to catch-up to gasoline powered racers in terms of performance.

Formulec isn’t stopping at developing what the team claims is the world’s fastest electric racing car – the group is planning to set up an entire race in 2012 for electric cars.

Aaron Colter is a freelance writer and marketing consultant in Portland, Oregon. A graduate of Purdue University, he has worked for the NCAA, Dark Horse Comics, Willamette Week, AOL, The Huffington Post, Top Shelf Productions, DigitalTrends, theMIX agency, SuicideGirls, EarthTechling, d'Errico Studios and others. He is also the co-founder of BananaStandMedia.com, a free record label, recording studio, and distribution service for independent musicians.